Wastewater treatment in the UK goes Dutch

Imtech Process Limited, a leading engineering and delivery partner for the water industry and international engineering, and project management consultancy Royal HaskoningDHV have signed a cooperation agreement for the delivery of the Nereda® technology for wastewater treatment in the UK. Imtech Process expects to build five to eight Nereda wastewater treatment installations in the coming years.

A revolutionary new wastewater treatment technology, which is set to displace the century-old practice of activated sludge, is being introduced in the UK following a cooperation agreement between Royal HaskoningDHV and Imtech Process. Nereda, which operates through a unique aerobic granule process, heralds a new, more sustainable wastewater technology.

Mr. Bruno Speed, Managing Director Imtech Process: “Deploying Nereda in the UK will be a significant step forward towards sustainable high-quality wastewater service. We are delighted to be part of this revolution in wastewater treatment and proud to be cooperating with Royal HaskoningDHV on this newly-developed technology and practice.” Nereda saves 20-30% energy and up to 75% in land use.

Sustainability

The UK market for wastewater treatment plants is first and foremost an upgrade and refurbishment market: existing wastewater treatment plants need to be modernised and expanded. Bruno Speed explains: “Nereda is ideally suited for these upgrades: with its small physical footprint it is very cost effective, while at the same time its energy-efficiency and high treatment capabilities offer the highest standards of sustainability.”

High market demand

Imtech recognises some exciting potential for opportunities across the UK. Royal HaskoningDHV’s Global Director for Water Products and Innovation, Mr. René Noppeney, said “There was no better moment to start this partnership. The demand from the British market is high. We are receiving regular enquiries from UK water companies interested in our Nereda technology. A significant number of the wastewater treatment plants in the UK are due for renewal in the coming five to ten years.”

Nereda in a nutshell

Nereda is a sustainable and cost-effective biological wastewater treatment technology that purifies water using the unique features of aerobic granular biomass. Nereda plants require a quarter of the area of traditional installations; the process consumes much less energy; and it is entirely based on natural ingredients. The award-winning technology was invented by the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and developed in a unique public-private partnership between the University, the Dutch Foundation for Applied Water Research (STOWA), the Dutch Water Boards and Royal HaskoningDHV. After twenty years of research and development this innovative biological solution is now proving itself as the next leap forward in wastewater treatment technology. Currently there are 12 plants in operation and more than 20 projects under development and construction throughout the world including in the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Brazil and Poland.